Cited by Wall Street Letter in each of 2014, 2015 and 2016 for “Best Research / Broker-Dealer”, the QC provides objective debt capital market and investment corporate debt commentary and geo-political analysis, it is one of three distinctive market comment pieces produced by Mischler Financial Group.The QC is a daily synopsis of everything Syndicate and Secondary as seen from the perch of our investment grade fixed income trading and debt capital markets desk and includes a comprehensive “deep dive” with optics on the day’s investment grade corporate debt new issuance and secondary market data encompassing among other items, comparables, investment grade credit spreads, new issue activity, secondary market most active issues, and upcoming pipeline.

Investment Grade Corporate Debt New Issue Re-Cap – A View About Charlottesville and the Aftermath

Risk was clearly back on in the financial markets today, as U.S./NOKO tensions fell to the wayside. Unfortunately prejudice and racism reared their ugly heads in the Charlottesville, Virginia riot over the weekend. On Monday, Fortune 500 thought leaders Ken Frazier, CEO of Merck & C0., Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel, and Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour each took a stand by protesting the ‘equivocal’ comments made by President Trump in his first response to the domestic terrorism acts in Charlottesville, which were advanced by self-proclaimed alt-right and white supremacist neo-Nazis. Mischler Financial Group stands with every corporate executive (and every duly-elected or duly-appointed government official) who stays true to genuinely right-minded beliefs and applauds their respective organization’s dedication to doing right by doing good. In case you missed the memo, many of America’s Fortune corporations adhere to this same notion and advance their commitment via proactive Diversity & Inclusion initiatives. For those corporate executives who may have spent all of their undergrad time in finance and accounting classes, and for those who are perhaps not as familiar as they could be i.e. American History (let’s not forget to mention world history, too!), racism and bigotry are diseases that spew hatefulness and cannot be allowed in a free and democratic society. The incendiary and incite-full actions for which the various white supremacist and KKK groups are notorious for are NOT protected “First Amendment rights.* They are cancers that cannot be discounted or condoned via equivocal platitudes; simple right-mindedness demands they be eradicated.

To the above point, one only need to re-read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to appreciate that D&I is part and parcel to our country’s DNA. It is also part of the cultural foundation of many Fortune 500 corporations, including Intel, including Merck, including Under Armour and including many others! D&I means respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education, and religion. But it’s more than this. We all bring with us diverse perspectives, work experiences, life styles and cultures and we presumably all share a disdain for anyone and any group that attempts to dismantle, disrupt and or destroy. Kudos to Mssrs. Frazier, Krzanich and Plank for putting themselves in harm’s way and risk of “injury by Twitter” for being true leaders and staying true to their convictions and their constituents.

Kudos also to the many Fortune executives who have raised their own voices to advocate on behalf of right mindedness, and to those corporate executives such as Jamie Dimon, CEO of Citigroup, who have opted not to resign their volunteer roles serving on “Presidential Councils” in protest to seemingly wrong-headed rhetoric. One can hope they have chosen to remain in their roles so that they can be that much more proactive in their WH-appointed “l” roles and/or similar presidential councils in which they serve as volunteers. These are jobs these business leaders have [presumably] accepted to better the country, not to help advance any political platform or political agenda. How the US Secretary of the Treasury or the Director of the National Economic Council decide how to square the so-called ‘equivocal’ views expressed by the CEO-In-Chief vs. their own cultural beliefs will likely be subject to ongoing self-reflection, external speculation and spirited debate. These are smart folks and optimism demands these administration officials be given the benefit of the doubt, just as it is incumbent on any/every corporate leader to serve as role models for employees, customers and clients; just as right-minded parents do for their own children.

Today’s VIX closed 3 bps tighter versus Friday’s close. Also a reminder that tomorrow is August 15th – “mid-August” – that’s when North Korea’s illustrious “bad boy” proclaimed that he’d have his master plan ready to bomb Guam developed by. One week from today on Monday, August 21st begin joint U.S-South Korean military exercises referred to as Ulchi-Freedom Guardian. The exercise began in our Bicentennial year of 1976. North Korea has annually perceived the joint exercise as “preparation for war.” It is the world’s largest computerized command control implementation. Up to 80,000 American and South Korean troops have participated in this exercise in the recent past. The game will go on for two weeks before concluding on Thursday August 31st. Enjoy the show Mr. Jong-Un. You’ll have front row seats though I recommend binoculars. Here’s lookin’ at you kid!

If you ask me, this is the perfect time for corporations to issue bonds. Not a bad thing will really happen, risk is back on and summer vacations are quickly approaching. My prediction – expect Amazon to the hit the tapes first thing tomorrow morning. Free market enterprise at work. Ya gotta love it!

Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. dropped the 3-year FRN tranche from today’s announced 3-part electing 3- and 10-year fixed rate tranches at the launch and with both coming at the tightest side of guidance.

The average spread compression from IPTs and/or guidance thru the launch/final pricing of today’s 6 IG Corporate-only new issues, was <14.58> bps.

The average spread compression from IPTs and/or guidance thru the launch/final pricing of today’s 7 IG Corporate new issues, including the Arch Capital Group Ltd. $25 par Preferred was <13.21> bps.

Investment grade corporate bond trading posted a final Trace count of $11.4b on Friday versus $13.2b on Thursday and $14.2b the previous Friday.

The 10-DMA stands at $16.1b.

The “QC” Geopolitical Risk Monitor

Risk Level/Main Factor

Geopolitical Risks

HIGHNorth Korea

· CIA Director Mike Pompeo cites U.S./NOKO tensions have subsided saying “We’re not closer to war than a week ago, but we are closer than we were a decade ago.” Rhetoric reached height on Friday 8/11 w/ Trump saying “U.S. military solutions are in place, locked and loaded” matching his earlier bluster this week that “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States or they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov says his country “does not want to see North Korea with nuclear weapons.” On Th. 8/10 NOKO announced its plan to “pre-emptively strike on Guam in mid-August.” Trump’s reaction, “Maybe my ‘fire and fury threats weren’t strong enough!” N. Korea launched an ICBM on 7/28. NOKO’s Hwasong-14 missile can reach any location on the U.S. continent. UN projects worst famine in NOKO in 17 yrs; last one killed 2mm (8% of population). NOKO may use nuclear intel/systems as barter for food w/”suspect” nations. U.S. has already sanctioned certain Chinese banks to pressure the PRC to use more influence over NOKO which has failed. China insiders say PRC does not have the influence with NOKO that the U.S. thinks it does. U.S.’s NOKO strategy quickly changing from containment on the Korean peninsula to defending the Hawaii, Alaska and the continental United States and more offensive in nature. NOKO adding miniature nuclear warheads to its ICBMs. Asian allies now justified to build up militaries. China in precarious position given South China Sea Islands.

ELEVATEDBREXIT Fallout

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted for his role in a corruption scandal. He selected his brother Shahbaz to take over. Many geopolitical strategists point to the India/Pakistani border conflict as one of if not the most volatile. Both are nuclear capable.

·U.K. PM May is on the hot seat. Macron-Merkel coalition to squeeze U.K. for all it can. France pressing for $115b equivalent. Companies prepping for hard BREXIT & 2 years of weak growth.

CAUTION“U.S. political gridlock”

· Trump financial, tax and infrastructure reform challenges & consensus GOP support to pass legislation in doubt after repeal and replace defeat. Dems revamping & revising their message.Mueller expanding FBI probe into Trump. Congress and Senate back in session on Tuesday, September 5th following August recess. Increasingly tense political environment.

· On June 15th U.S. Senate sanctions Iran for missile testing and supporting terrorism; also expands sanctions against Russia in 98-2 vote. Iran launches missile into space in response on 7/28. U.S. levies additional sanctions on Iran in response to launch.

· Venezuela – civil unrest continues against Maduro dictatorship. U.S. Tsy freezes Maduro family assets. Trump, who campaigned on non-intervention platform now says he is considering more than mere sanctions and “won’t rule out military option.” Risk of VZ default. 4th largest exporter of oil to U.S. behind Canada (#1), Saudi Arabia (#2) & Mexico (#3).

Below and attached is neither a recommendation or offer to purchase or sell securities. Mischler Financial Group is not a Municipal Advisor. For additional information, please contact Managing Director Richard Tilghman at 203.276.6656

Mischler Financial Group debt capital market expertise, inclusive of Debt Origination, Distribution, Primary Market Access and Secondary Market trading across the full spectrum of fixed income markets is courtesy of our 18-member team of debt market veterans is what makes MFG’s Fixed Income Group a compelling partner to Fortune issuers, corporate treasurers, municipal debt issuers and the world’s leading institutional investors.

To illustrate our presence within the Debt Capital Markets space: since 2014 alone, Mischler has led, co-managed and/or served as selling group member for more than $500 Billion (notional value) in new debt and preferred shares issued by Fortune corporations, new companies via IPO, as well as debt issued by various municipalities and US Government agencies.

Mischler Financial Group is a federally-certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE) and a recognized minority broker-dealer. Mischler Muni Market updates are provided as a courtesy to institutional clients of Mischler Financial Group, Inc.